The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford and Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden have sent a message of good luck to Team Wales before the start of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ahead of the opening ceremony of the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the First Minister and Deputy Minister said Team Wales will inspire the next generation of athletes and para-athletes to compete for their nation at the highest level.
Team Wales are more than ready for the task ahead both in competition and how they look. The team formal wear for the #B2022 Opening Ceremony, was designed by world-famous Welsh fashion designer JULIEN MACDONALD, who was born in Merthyr Tydfil. I think you’ll agree it’s pretty impressive. Team Wales had a chance to show it off recently at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Julien said……
“It’s so exciting to be part of such an important project and to work closely with the athletes of Team Wales. It has been such an incredible experience. Overall, the design is something that is very Welsh and includes many Welsh symbols and colours that represent Wales. It’s something that I’ve really enjoyed doing and obviously I’ve added a touch of Julien Macdonald glamour“
Julien has dressed the most famous women in the world including Beyonce, Taylor Swift and many Welsh celebrities including Dame Shirley Bassey, Katherine Zeta-Jones, and Katherine Jenkins. The opportunity to dress Team Wales athletes, combining Julien’s world-renowned design skills with his passionate Welsh pride, has been a proud moment for the designer.
The Welsh messaging is carried deeper into the overall design, with Clogau Gold designing a bespoke pin badge to compliment Julien’s creation.
Chris Jenkins CEO added…….
“The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on July 28th is always important for Team Wales. WE take pride as a country to unite and support the team; we should never under-estimate how much the support of a nation can inspire our athletes when they start competition in Birmingham22. The opening ceremony allows Team Wales to make an initial impact and a statement of intent for the Games; Julien’s offer to design the outfit creates an exciting combination of top Welsh fashion and sport.
Cathy Williams, Head of Engagement, who has worked closely with Julien on the project said…….
“It’s been a very exciting journey, from the initial discussion of working together, creating a brief with the Team Wales Athletes Commission, to finally see the finished product. It was crucial for us that the Athletes Commission were heavily involved in the collaboration with Julien and his team. They are the voice of the athletes going into the games, and whilst our Gold Coast 2018 outfit was colourful and vibrant, they were confident a classic and smart look would better complement the Birmingham 2022 games.
Its certainly been an exciting journey, and I’m sure working alongside Julien, who has dress the World’s most famous faces will further strengthen the support the team will have at the Games“
The Commonwealth Games are an opportunity for Wales’ athletes to compete as a nation in its own right, alongside 72 other nations. 199 Welsh athletes and para-athletes are competing across 15 sports.
In a joint message, the First Minister and Deputy Minister extended their best wishes to Team Wales on behalf of the entire Welsh nation.
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said……..
“I would like to extend the very best of luck to all our athletes competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham at the end of the month.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best sporting talent Wales has to offer. It is also a wonderful inspiration for children and young people to get involved in sport and hopefully find a passion of their own!”
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden added…….
“The Welsh Government is committed to a happy, healthy and active Wales, and there’s no better inspiration for Welsh people to get active than the performance of Team Wales in Birmingham.
“Good luck to all our fantastic athletes. The whole of Wales is right behind you! Pob Lwc!”
The Games this summer, hosted by England will introduce two new sports to the competition calendar – Women’s T20 Cricket, and 3×3 Basketball (including 3×3 Wheelchair basketball). Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest female and para sport programme in history, with 136 medal events for women across 19 sports.
To keep in touch with the games and follow the progress of Team Wales, go HERE.